Program Tools

Are there any specific safety tips for walking to school in the Winter when the weather becomes dark, cold, rainy and snowy?

When walking in conditions that can make it difficult to see, particularly low light conditions made worse by weather, it is important to carry a flashlight and/or wear something reflective. There are a variety of inexpensive reflective back pack zipper pulls and tags on the market. If you do an internet search on reflective zipper pulls you will see a number of examples. Additionally, your local running shoe store and bicycle store should carry small battery-powered lights that can blink or offer a steady light. These lights typically have a clip so they can be attached to clothes or backpacks.

Another tip is to make sure to walk on the appropriate side of the road. For a road that has sidewalks on both sides of the road, it is acceptable to walk on either side of the road (facing oncoming traffic or your back to oncoming traffic) because you are separated from the automobiles. For a road with a sidewalk only on one side, it is recommended to use the sidewalk for traveling in either direction (with traffic or against traffic). Again, the sidewalk helps separate you from automobiles. If no sidewalks exist on the road, it is recommended that you walk facing oncoming traffic. Also, you should get as far to the side of the road as possible to provide additional space between you and oncoming cars. When bicycling, you will want to ride on the right (going in the same direction as automobile traffic).

For additional safe walking information, we have a few tip sheets available on our website.